Police stop men allegedly planning to deliver contraband to prison using drone

CROCKETT CO., Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - Police in Tennessee stopped two men on their way to deliver drugs to prison using a drone.

The incident began when officers with the Bells Police Department stopped a car for a traffic infraction Wednesday. Upon stopping, police said the passenger ran out of the car while carrying a backpack.

The driver was detained and officers searched the car as others went after the fleeing passenger.

In the car, police said officers found and seized 48 fentanyl pills, 3.5 pounds of tobacco, multiple cell phones with chargers, paraphernalia, memory cards, mesh bags, and a drone with controller and spare batteries. According to police, the drone was equipped with a device so that it would hold mesh bags full of contraband.

While searching for the fleeing suspect, officers recovered the backpack he was carrying, which had one pound of marijuana inside of it.

Police said the men were heading to Northwest Correctional Facility in Lake County, Tennessee with the suspected contraband.

The driver was arrested and charged with possession of schedule II and VI with intent and drug paraphernalia. Police also said more charges are expected.